I have something to be thankful for. I’m still alive. I’m serious - It’s only when you realise you nearly died that you start thinking about life, and death. On 23 Dec at 2am, mom was driving me home from the airport. At such odd hours, drivers usually drive very fast, about 120-140km/hour. We reached a road junction and turned right. However, mom didn’t expect the taxi she saw far away to be speeding such that it was heading straight for the left side of the car by the time she took the turn. All of a sudden, I was awoken by the screeching sound of the taxi’s tyres. When I opened my eyes, the taxi was very near my door and all I could do was hold my breath and watch. Miraculously, the taxi and our car managed to miss each other by about a metre. The first thought that came to me was, I’m not in heaven yet – I didn’t die! So I’m thankful I’m still alive and not lying in a coffin.

Today, I was finally baptised. “Finally”, because it took me a year to consider getting baptised. Chandini, Evangeline and Natalie came to witness the baptism. I think Chandini and Evangeline were very lost in the Chinese, but thankfully there was Natalie on hand to help translate. Baptism has 2 main objectives – to publicly affirm Christian faith and to officially become a member of the church (and hence participate in holy communion).

Getting dunked in the water is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll always remember. Jerome said that he’s going to wear goggles when he gets baptised. Not a bad idea. Today was the first time I participated in holy communion. I was coughing after drinking the wine. After the service, there was a long photo-taking session with family, relatives and friends. They made it seem like I was getting married or what.. Ye ye was visibly happy, probably because one of his grandchildren finally hit the water after many years of prayer.

Again, thanks everyone for the gifts and well wishes.

I was so tired I took a rare afternoon nap before going out again for dinner with family and grandparents.

Tomorrow is another long day. Sec 3 Sunday School class outing at Sentosa, but some old people like me were invited to gate-crash it. As special guests, the JC1s and I have to cook food for the picnic. That reminds me – I need to get off now to prepare sandwiches.